prevailing wisdom

USAGE SUMMARY

"prevailing wisdom" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a belief or opinion that is widely accepted by a particular group of people. For example, "The prevailing wisdom in the business world is that it pays to invest in long-term projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His assessment reflects the prevailing wisdom.

The New York Times - Arts

As for investments, Business Week summed up the prevailing wisdom.

The New York Times

He had the necessary arrogance to combat prevailing wisdom.

The New York Times - Arts

When an invasive occult cancer is identified, prevailing wisdom suggests that an axillary dissection be performed.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

As such, the prevailing wisdom on Wall Street is less show and no tell.

The New York Times

who rejects prevailing wisdom among blacks about the racial state of play in America.

The New York Times

Against prevailing wisdom, he co-opted hard-talking Islamists into a new official Muslim body.

The Economist

The conclusions he draws are frequently at odds with Wall Street's prevailing wisdom.

The New York Times

The prevailing wisdom says that negative thoughts and feelings have no place at the office.

Harvard Business Review

Rather, they work quietly to challenge prevailing wisdom and gently provoke their organizational cultures to adapt.

Harvard Business Review

But it's contrary to prevailing wisdom about how neutron stars evolve.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prevailing wisdom" to introduce a commonly held belief before challenging or questioning it, creating a setup for critical analysis.

Common error

Don't treat the "prevailing wisdom" as an immutable truth. Always critically evaluate it, as it may be based on outdated information or flawed reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prevailing wisdom" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig provides examples where it introduces a widely accepted belief that may be subsequently challenged or supported.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

15%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prevailing wisdom" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to a belief or opinion widely accepted by a particular group of people. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, especially in news, science, and business contexts. While it's a useful way to introduce a generally accepted idea, it's crucial to remember that the "prevailing wisdom" isn't always accurate and should be critically evaluated. Alternatives such as "conventional understanding", "accepted viewpoint", or "widely held view" can offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

widely held view

Signifies a perspective that is commonly shared and accepted by a large number of people.

common knowledge

Denotes information that is widely known and generally accepted as true.

conventional understanding

Emphasizes widespread acceptance and agreement on a particular concept.

general consensus

Highlights the agreement or unanimity among a group of people on a particular issue.

standard assumption

Highlights a premise that is taken for granted or accepted without explicit proof.

accepted viewpoint

Highlights the agreement or endorsement of a particular perspective.

received opinion

Indicates an idea or belief that has been passed down or inherited from previous generations.

established belief

Focuses on the long-standing nature and historical validation of a certain conviction.

popular opinion

Reflects what most people believe, but may not necessarily be based on expertise or careful consideration.

dominant ideology

Implies a powerful influence and widespread acceptance of a particular set of ideas.

FAQs

How can I use "prevailing wisdom" in a sentence?

You can use "prevailing wisdom" to refer to commonly accepted beliefs or opinions. For example, "The "prevailing wisdom" suggests that a balanced diet is essential for good health."

What's a good alternative to "prevailing wisdom"?

Alternatives include "conventional wisdom", "accepted belief", or "common knowledge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always accurate to follow the "prevailing wisdom"?

No, the "prevailing wisdom" isn't always accurate. It's important to critically evaluate commonly held beliefs, as they may be based on outdated information or flawed reasoning.

What is the difference between "prevailing wisdom" and "popular opinion"?

"Prevailing wisdom" usually refers to a belief widely accepted within a specific field or community, whereas "popular opinion" reflects what most people generally believe, which may not always be based on expertise or thorough consideration.